The Hindu : International : China for cooperation in civilian nuclear energy

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Friday, Aug 31, 2007
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International

International

China for cooperation in civilian nuclear energy

P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: China has “envisaged bilateral cooperation” with India in “the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.” Beijing conveyed this message, when Indian interlocutors “spoke” to their Chinese counterparts about the United States-India civilian nuclear accord. This was disclosed by Prime Minister’s Special Envoy Shyam Saran here on Thursday.

China, however, maintained that “such cooperation [with India] should not, in any way, undermine the [international] non-proliferation regime,” he said.

New Delhi’s view

Commenting on Beijing’s “wish” to engage New Delhi in this fashion, Mr. Saran said: “It is our stand that the India-U.S. nuclear deal, by no means, undermines the non-proliferation regime. Our view is: it even strengthens the international non-proliferation regime. But, what China’s own stand would be on this issue will be apparent when this matter comes up before the Nuclear Suppliers Group, of which China is an important member. So, just wait and see what China says.”

Mr. Saran said: “There is, in fact, growing support for this initiative within Indian public opinion. I think the political parties will also take cognisance of this public sentiment.”

He was responding to questions after delivering the keynote address at a conference, organised by the Singapore-based Institute of South Asian Studies, on “India’s 60 years of independence.”

Asked about Beijing’s attitude towards New Delhi on a range of issues, he said China had not opposed India’s candidature for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.

“Whether China has another agenda that it has not spoken about, I certainly would not be able to comment on that. But, as far as our own diplomatic exchanges [go], we do have no reason to believe that China has opposed [the] entry of India.”

Multi-polar Asia

Tracing New Delhi’s preference for a multi-polar Asia as part of a similar global order, Mr. Saran said:

“The rise of China is a positive development insofar as India is concerned. It encourages, by example, the growth of Indian aspirations. Structurally, it compels the international system to change at the very time India, too, wishes to alter the status quo to its advantage.”

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